Love and Leftovers Book Blitz Character Interview + #Giveaway

Love and Leftovers
Sarah Tregay 

Paperback Re-Release: May 13, 2014
Pulisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Summary: 

My wish 
is to fall 

Cranium over Converse
In dizzy, daydream-worthy 
love.
(If only it were that easy.)

When her parents split, Marcie is dragged from Idaho to a family summerhouse in New Hampshire. She leaves behind her friends, a group of freaks and geeks called the Leftovers, including her emo-rocker boyfriend, and her father. By the time Labor Day rolls around, Marcie suspects this "vacation" has become permanent. She starts at a new school where a cute boy brings her breakfast and a new romance heats up.

But understanding love, especially when you've watched your parents' affections end, is elusive. What does it feel like, really? Can you even know it until you've lost it?

Available from:

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Guest Post: Character Interview with Marcie

Hi, I’m Marcie Foster. Love and Leftovers about me and what happened when my dad came out of the closet and I got stuck on summer vacation in East Nowhere, New Hampshire without my friends, the Leftovers, my boyfriend, Linus, or my security blanket.

So, you like to write?

I am a compulsive journal writer. I can’t live without my blue notebook. Writing poems in my notebook helps me make sense of my life and how I feel about it, sort of like psychotherapy, only a lot less expensive. And it’s private. Well, unless… never mind.

What makes a good story?

Every good story has a love story in it, like those romance novels Aunt Greta leaves behind and my mom abhors. Okay, so maybe I’m a little preoccupied with the idea of falling in love.

What is a novel in verse?

A verse novel is written in a series of poems. All together, the poems reveal the story.

Who is your best friend?

My best friend is Katie Raskolnikov—the blonde with a pink streak in her hair. Yes, I noticed. Her socks don’t match. We’ve been best friends since sixth grade. Yeah, I’ve gotten used to the hair. And the socks. Did you know she has a tattoo?

Do you have a boyfriend? A crush?

Both. Oops. I shouldn’t tell you that. You’ll post it on your blog.

See there’s J.D. in New Hampshire. Think Prince Harry and throw in a little David Beckham (or other soccer-playing hunk of yumminess) and add an New England accent. Adorable. And he brings me breakfast.

Then there’s Linus, my boyfriend, back in Boise. He’s sweet and 4.0-smart with deep, espresso brown eyes. He’s the youngest of four boys and wears hand-me-down t-shirts that are all soft and huggable. He writes me love songs and posts them on YouTube. Who couldn’t love a guy like that?

About the Author

Raised without television, Sarah Tregay started writing her own middle grade novels after she had read all of the ones in the library. She later discovered YA books, but never did make it to the adult section. When she's not jotting down poems at stoplights, she can be found hanging out with her "little sister" from Big Brothers Big Sisters. Sarah lives in Eagle, Idaho with her husband, two Boston Terriers, and an appaloosa named Mr. Pots. Her next book, Fan Art, will be released in June.

Author Links:

    

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Fledgling Guest Post #Giveaway + Scavenger Hunt Stop 8!!!

 

Fledgling 

The Dragonrider Chronicles

Book #1

Nicole Conway 

Release Date: April 29, 2014
Publisher: Month9Books, LLC.

Synopsis:

Can one boy stand between two kingdoms at war?

Jaevid Broadfeather has grown up as a wartime refugee, hiding from the world because of his mixed racial heritage. He feels his future is hopeless, until a chance encounter with a wild dragon lands him in Blybrig Academy—a place usually forbidden to anyone but the rich and royal. But Jaevid’s case is special; no dragon has voluntarily chosen a rider in decades, so the proud riders of Blybrig must begrudgingly let him join their brotherhood despite his bloodline. Lieutenant Sile Derrick, a sternly tempered man with a mysterious past, becomes his instructor and immediately takes a peculiar interest in Jaevid’s future.

While struggling through the rigorous physical demands of training, things begin to go awry. Jaevid witnesses the king’s private guards kidnapping Sile in the dead of night. When none of the elder riders are willing to help him, Jaevid begins a dangerous adventure to save his instructor.

Everything Jaevid learned at the academy will now be put to the ultimate test.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Chapters Indigo!

Guest Post

A Character Interview with Felix Farrow

He’s the son of a powerful duke, a fledgling dragonrider, and Jaevid’s best friend—meet the charming Felix Farrow! 

So, for those of us who aren’t as familiar with you, can you give us a little introduction? Describe yourself for us.

“Yeah, sure! No problem. Well, my name’s Felix. My dad is Duke Farrow, but people tell me I look a lot more like my mom. I just turned seventeen before I started training at Blybrig Academy. I’m about five foot and nine inches tall, blonde hair, brown eyes, and not too bad looking if I do say so myself. How’s that?”

That’s just fine! Now, we all know Jaevid’s side of the story, but how did you end up being a dragonrider?

“It’s not all that uncommon for nobles to join the king’s forces, especially as a dragonrider. It’s really expensive to get ahold of a dragon hatchling these days, let alone pay for outfitting, so you don’t see many commoners riding anymore. But my parents were pretty furious when I told them I wanted to be a dragonrider. My dad never served in the military; he’s a little too soft around the waistline for that. Plus he hates getting his hands dirty. Mom just gave me that I-didn’t-raise-you-this-way look like she always does. I don’t think either of them really understood why I would bother with it when I was already set with a destiny to be the next duke. But I won’t bore you with my sob stories. I hate feeling useless. So I joined anyway, and there’s not much they could do to stop me.”

You mentioned purchasing a hatchling? Is that how you met your dragon, Nova?

“Basically, yeah. I mean, in the old days, all dragons chose their riders voluntarily. That’s the only way you could even be a dragonrider. But times changed, and people figured out how to start breeding them kinda like horses. These days, you rarely see dragons voluntarily choosing their riders anymore. Nova didn’t choose me. I picked her out from a hatching with a bunch of baby dragons, and she didn’t like me much to start with. I’ve got a few scars from bite marks, and she scorched my eyebrows more than once. It took a while to earn her trust, but I was in it for the long haul. I’m pretty good with girls, anyway.”

What’s your favorite pastime?

“Oh, you mean besides chasing nosy little halfbreeds around the kingdom so they don’t get themselves killed doing something stupid? Hm. Well, I guess I like going to parties. It’s nice to get to unwind, blow off a little steam, and break a few hearts before riding off into the sunset.”

Yes, well, you’ve really gotten a lot of attention from female fans. And they’re all asking the same thing: Is there anyone special in your life right now?

“Hah! No way. But I’m always looking for Mrs. Right. I don’t guess you kept any of those female fans’ names handy, did you?”

Uh, I’ll have to check on that. So what do you look for in a significant other?

“To be honest, I don’t know. Someone interesting, I guess. I like a girl who knows how to have a good time, and isn’t afraid to speak her mind. It drives me nuts when they’re too shy, or don’t ever smile, or won’t look at you when you’re trying to have a conversation. I mean, a little bashfulness is cute, but girls are way prettier when they smile.”

Do you see yourself getting into a serious relationship anytime soon?

“Nah. Not likely. I’ve got too much riding on my career right now—literally. It wouldn’t be fair to drag someone else into all that. Dragonriders have to think in the short-term, cause we aren’t guaranteed to be around for anything long-term. It’s pretty lousy, but it’s just the way things are for now.”

It must be difficult to have such a dangerous job. Does the idea that you might get killed in combat scare you?

“Sometimes. I don’t know anyone who isn’t afraid of dying. But that’s the point of all this training, you know. We’ve got a job to do. If a guy doesn’t have what it takes to do his job even when he’s scared, then he’s got no business being a dragonrider. We have to be strong.”

And what do you consider your greatest strength?

“I’m good at a lot of stuff. Because of my social rank, there’s always a lot of pressure for me to be the best at everything. My physical strength is probably the biggest thing I’ve got going for me right now. I’ve always been pretty strong.”

Okay, what about your greatest weakness?

“I’m sure Jae would get all cocky, as usual, and say something about me being a hardhead. He’s one to talk. I wouldn’t have gotten into half the trouble I’ve been in if it wasn’t for him. But he’s probably right. I’m pretty stubborn. And I have a hard time letting stuff go. I guess that would be my biggest weakness.”

Do you think you’ve turned out the way your parents expected?

“Ha ha! Nope, definitely not. They had high expectations for me from the start, none of which involved dragons. And maybe I’ve had too much fun disappointing them. I just hate feeling like I’m being trapped inside someone else’s idea of who I should be. I don’t like being parked on my rear end, sitting on some silk cushion, while everyone else has all the fun and adventure. So yeah, I’ve probably turned out the exact opposite of how my parents wanted. But they’ll get over it. I’m not hurting anybody, and I’d rather do what I want now because sooner or later I’ll have to take over as duke anyway. Then I’ll finally be right where they’ve always wanted me—trapped at home.”

You’ve mentioned him a little already, but tell us about Jaevid. We all know he’s your best friend, but what do you really think about him?

“I think a lot of things about Jae. I mean, from the start, he seemed pretty interesting to me. It’s not often you see a halfbreed the size of a twelve-year-old lined up with a bunch of dragonriders. I thought he must be crazier than I was. Now, I know he definitely is. I don’t understand a lot of the things he does, but deep down, I think he just wants to do the right thing. I’m lucky to be friends with him, and I’ll always have his back.”

Has Jaevid’s mixed race ever been an issue for you?

“Nah. And believe me, you’re not the first person to ask me about that. Jae’s even put me on the spot about it a few times. But he could be purple and covered in eyeballs for all I care. I won’t treat him any different because of his race. It’s what people do that makes them who they are. I’ve been around Jae enough now to know that he’s the kind of guy to always fight for what’s right, and always puts other people before himself. I think that speaks more about him than who his parents are.”

One more question, to wrap things up. Do you have any secrets you’re willing to share?

“Secrets? Uh, I don’t know about that. I’m not the secretive type. But if I have to say something . . . I guess I’ll just tell you that I’m allergic to strawberries. I don’t really advertise that, though. It’s not very manly, right? Big tough guy, decked out in battle armor, riding a dragon, but he can get killed by a stupid little strawberry? That’d ruin my whole image!”

Stop 8: Scavenger Hunt 

The knight, however, was still staring right at me. He gave me a strange look, narrowing his eyes some and tilting his head to the side slightly like he was sizing me up. It made me blush from head to toe, the tips of my pointed ears burning like torches under my long hair. This was a warrior who had probably fought against gray elves for years, and I knew what I looked like.

He curled a finger at me, calling me toward him. It made me cringe as I obeyed. I hedged toward him, my shoulders hunched up because I half-expected him to hit me just out of pure resentment for what I was. But he didn’t.

When I got close enough, he grabbed my chin in one of his gloved hands, cranking my head around so I had to look up at him. I was shaking all over, wondering if this was it for me. Maybe he’d crush my head like a grape in his hand. Or maybe he’d throttle me to death. Either way, I was pretty sure Ulric wouldn’t go out of his way to save me. He might have even thanked the knight afterwards for saving him the trouble.

About The Author

Nicole is the author of the children’s fantasy series, THE DRAGONRIDER CHRONICLES, about a young boy’s journey into manhood as he trains to become a dragonrider. She has completed the first two books in the series, and is now working on the third and final book.

Originally from a small town in North Alabama, Nicole moves frequently due to her husband’s career as a pilot for the United States Air Force. She received a B.A. in English with a concentration in Classics from Auburn University, and will soon attend graduate school.

 She has previously worked as a freelance and graphic artist for promotional companies, but has now embraced writing as a full-time occupation.

Nicole enjoys hiking, camping, shopping, cooking, and spending time with her family and friends. She also loves watching children’s movies and collecting books. She lives at home with her husband, two cats, and dog.

Author Links:  Website | Twitter | Facebook

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Reap Book Blitz Character Interview and Giveaway!

Reap

Christina Channelle

Release Date: October 11, 2013

Summary from Goodreads:

Foreign, or rather unfamiliar, would be the word I would use to describe how I felt.

Faintly, I could hear the glimmer of voices surrounding me in this dark haze, caressing my ears like skin against silk. I felt like I was in a cocoon of sorts, protectively enveloped, quietly drifting in some far-off place. I wanted to stay that way forever.

But we all know that what you want never really seems to happen in the real world.

Something’s not right in Mia’s head.

The first thing is that her name isn’t Mia. In fact, she has no clue what her name is—who she is. All that she knows is that she’s not like the ones who found her: Dante with his kind blue eyes, Amy with her child-like demeanor, James with his questioning gaze.

And Briggs.

The one she cannot decipher no matter how hard she tries.

As Mia tries to fit in with these people, a strange occurrence is amidst outside. And as she finally remembers who she is …

Well, let’s just say that things get a little more complicated.

(YA Paranormal Romance Novella)

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Character Interview: Amy Nolan

Christina: Alright, guys! Another day, another interview. Today I bring in the lovely Amy Nolan. She busted free from the confines of her apartment building, courtesy of three brawny dudes, and she’s here to chat with us. Hi, Amy!

Amy: Hi! Sooooo happy to be here. I can’t even contain myself.

Christina: I can see that, Amy. You can’t seem to sit still.

Amy: Sorry.

Christina: That’s okay. No need to pout. Let’s get on with some questions, the very reason you’re here. People want to get to know a bit about you.

Amy: That’s amazing, I love people! Ask away, ask away.

Christina: Okay. Let’s start easy. What’s your favorite color?

Amy: Pink, of course. Every shade imaginable.

Christina: How about music?

Amy: I love Adele, Christina (you and her have the same name, you know) and Florence (everybody should love Florence). Oh, and Maroon 5. That Adam is dreamy…

Christina: That he is. What about your favorite show?

Amy: Glee! The Bachelor and the Bachelorette. Basically anything that involves love and singing.

Christina: Twilight or Vampire Diaries?

Amy: Twilight! They’re so much friendlier, don’t you think?

Christina: Right, Amy, dear. I hear you like to bake and made a business out of it. What’s your favorite cupcake?

Amy: Oh, that’s easy. Vanilla cupcake with white chocolate chips and macadamia nuts, topped with coconut shavings. Mmm, I want one right now…

Christina: I’m right there with you on that. How about you make some when you’re done?

Amy: I would love to.

Christina: Yum … I mean, great! Next question: What’s your favorite fashion accessory?

Amy: My choker, of course. It’s a gift from my wonderful friend, James. He’s a dreamboat, let me tell you.

Christina: I bet he is. Dog lover or cat lover?

Amy: Kittens! They are the cutest thing ever. I met a girl with eyes just like a kitten’s. I even named her. Mia. Sounds almost like, meow.

Christina: You named a … girl?

Amy: Yeah. I know, sounds crazy. But it’s a long story.

Christina: Right. Well, that seems to be all the questions I have for you today. Thanks so much for stopping by.

Amy: Can I do it again sometimes? I can even bring Dante and James. I don’t know about Briggs though.

Christina: Absolutely, Amy. Wait! Before you go, about those cupcakes…

About the Author 

A dreamer, Christina Channelle holds two degrees in health sciences but has always had a passion for writing. You will find her reading other young adult novels, or typing up a new story on her computer. When not writing, Christina spends her free time at the movies, listening to music, or eating sushi. She's a reality TV junkie and has a close relationship with many characters on TV that have been a topic of many heated discussions among friends. She resides in Ontario, Canada.

Her next project is the YA Paranormal Romance, REAP, to be released October 11, 2013.

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